Cherry tree named &#39;REDLAM&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of cherry tree denominated ‘REDLAM’ has fruits with medium to large size and dark red skin color, very firm, and with a good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by its good handling and storage qualities.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2015/2856 filed on Nov. 27, 2015 (Nov. 27, 2015) which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus avium (L.) L.

Variety denomination: ‘REDLAM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuing plant- breeding program including the organization and reproduction of orchard trees, among which peaches, nectarines, apricots, apples, and cherries are exemplary. It was against this background of our activities that the present variety of cherry tree was originated and reproduced by us in our experimental orchard located near Elne, Pyrenees Orientales, France.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new a distinct variety of cherry tree Prunus avium L. which has been given the variety denomination ‘REDLAM’. This tree produces fruits with a long shelf life without alteration both on the trees after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality with an orange yellow flesh with a red pigmentation when fruits reach maturity, and for fresh market in May in the Pyrenees Orientales department, France.

Contrast is made to ‘FOLFER’ cherry tree (non patented) and to ‘BURLAT’ cherry tree (non patented) for reliable description. ‘REDLAM’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it produces very attractive fruits having a long shelf life.

The present new variety of cherry tree (Prunus avium L.) was developed by us in our experimental orchard located in France. ‘REDLAM’ cherry tree originated in a cultivated area of the South of France, in the Pyrenees-Orientales department where it was also tested. This zone also called Roussillon is subject to a Mediterranean climate. The winter is generally sweet that is to say the total amount of cold hours lower than 7° C. (Celsius) varies from 600 hours to 1200 hours. The summer is hot and dry. that is to say the total amount of sunshine hours is an average of 2400 hours to 2800 hours per year. The prevailing wind is called “Tramontane”: it dries the air and clear the sky from cloud but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruits quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen and the summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘REDLAM’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between cherry tree variety named ‘ASF 9904’ (non patented) which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘ROSILAM’ cherry tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,797), which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘REDLAM’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Maxma14’ (non-patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruits characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruits production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock tree set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was asexually reproduced by us in Les Regalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrenees Orienteles, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety ‘REDLAM’ produces fruits of medium to large size, firm, with a semi-sweet flavor, low acidity, and an orange yellow color with a red pigmentation when mature. The blooming period is medium for the variety, namely at the beginning of April. The maturity period is early to medium, generally from the middle of May to beginning of June in the South of France. However, it was observed that its early date of blooming and maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety as depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in color illustrations of this character. These specimens were obtained at the Elne Experiment Station, South of France.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a view of a tree of the new variety in orchard, with branches bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows some whole fruits of the new variety, and two fruits at different maturity stages, having been cut in a half, with the stone being left in one of the halves, for depicting the fruit flesh, the pit, and the pit cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 3 shows typical white flowers of ‘REDLAM’ variety at blooming with some leaves for depicting the flower buds at different stages of development; and the reverse and side view of the flowers and the reproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows a close view of typical fruits of the new variety ‘REDLAM’ at ripening time.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruits depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety of cherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of specimens grown near Elne, South of France, with color in accordance with The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

The trees, flowers and fruits may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices and climatic conditions.

The main characteristics of this new variety of sweet cherry are a medium or large fruit size with a color of skin considered red. The color of fruit flesh depends on the maturity stage of the fruit, as shown on the photography of FIG. 2. The fruit is very firm.

The time of beginning of flowering is medium whereas the time of beginning of fruit ripening is considered early to medium.

In comparison with the cherry tree ‘FOLFER (non-patented), the present variety ‘REDLAM’ ripens generally at the same time. The flavor of the variety named ‘FOLFER’ is considered sugary whereas the flavor of the new variety ‘REDLAM’ is very sugary, with a brix comprised between 16 and 18. Moreover, the ‘FOLFER’ variety is sensitive to cracking whereas the new variety ‘REDLAM’ is not sensitive to cracking.

Compared to ‘BURLAT’ (non patented) cherry tree, which produces fruits of about 8 grams, ‘REDLAM’ variety produces fruits that are more heavy, with a weight of approximately 11 to 12 grams and a bigger size. Indeed, the medium diameter of the ‘REDLAM’ fruits is about 30 millimeters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of cherry tree, the following has been observed on trees on their fifth growing season (fourth year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrenees-Orientales department, France.

All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a “MAXMA14” tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart 2001 (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree.     -   -   Generally.—The first year the cherry tree is generally cut             at 2.50 meters height. The length in one year for each             lateral shoot varies from 0.60 meters to 0.80 meters. We are             cutting the cherry trees during the second year to a height             of 2.50 meters. The form of the cheery trees is cylindrical             and the diameter is limited to 2 meters. Size. Medium to             high as compared to other commercial sweet cherry cultivars.             The tree size the first year was approximately 2.50 meters.             The tree was pruned during each following dormant season to             a height of approximately 2.50 meters. Current seasons             shoots growth could reach 0.80 meters. So the tree size from             the second year (second and next years) reached a final             height of 3.10 to 3.30 meters with current seasons shoots             length comprised. Spread. Approximately 2.0 meters with a             cylindrical shape. The whole orchard was oriented to a             central leader organization, with tree lines spaced of 4.0             meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line.             Vigor. Medium, tree growth reaching 0.60 to 0.80 meters the             first growing season. Productivity. Good to very good             productivity, every year. The new variety produces adequate             fruit set annually on a regular basis. The number of the             fruit set varies with the prevailing Climatic conditions and             cultivar practices employed during the bloom period, and is             therefore not distinctive of the present variety. Bearer.             Very regular and quantitative. The extinction of the             clusters of May improves the calibre and firmness of the             fruit. Form. Naturally spreading to semi-upright. Hardiness.             Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of France and             especially where the chilling requirement is between 350 and             1200 hours. No injury with a temperatures as low as — 12° C.             in winter. Good resistance to late frosts.         -   Trunk.—Size. Medium. Approximately 82 millimeters above 20.0             centimeters from ground, on 5^(th) growing season. Bark             texture. Smooth to rough, due to the lenticels. Lenticels.             High number of lenticels. The number of lenticels reaches 28             to 32 lenticels per 10 cm². At the 5^(th) growing season,             lenticels are 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters in height and 6.0 to             9.0 millimeters in width. Lenticels color. Color of             lenticels is RHS Greyed Orange N167 D. Bark color. Grey             silver brown (RHS Brown 200 B).         -   Branches.—Size. Medium for the new growth. Medium for the             branches at the 5th growing season. Diameter. Average             diameter of 25.0 to 47.0 millimeters. Surface texture.             Smooth to rough. Wood that is several years old has no             furrowed appearance. Color. Old growth is brown (RHS Brown             200 B). Current season shoots: Diameter. Average diameter             from 7.0 to 8.0 millimeters. Surface texture. Smooth with             lenticels. Wood that is several years old has no furrowed             appearance. Crotch angles. Primary branches are considered             variable, but the crotch angles are generally between 65             degrees and 85 degrees from the horizontal axis. This             particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of             the variety, however. Internode. Generally from 55.0             millimeters to 65.0 millimeters length. Color. New growth is             orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166 A). -   Leaves. Size. Medium for the species. Leaf measurements have been     taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at approximately     mid-shoot. The ratio leaf length/leaf width is 2.14. Length. From     130.0 to 175.0 millimeters with leaf petiole. Average length with     petiole 148.4 millimeters. Width. From 62.0 to 75.0 millimeters.     Average width 69.2 millimeters. Leaf form in cross view. Concave.     Leaf form. Lanceolate to spatulate (spoon-shaped) with an elliptic     shape. Apex. Acuminate.     -   -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. Dark green (RHS GREEN GROUP             137 B). Lower surface. A lighter green than the upper leaf             surface (RHS YELLOW GREEN 146 B). Leaf texture. Smooth. The             lower surface is also smooth. Leaf venation. Pinnately             veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. Light green with a yellow touch (RHS YELLOW             GREEN 145 B to RHS YELLOW GREEN 145 C) and evolves with             maturity. Leaf margins. Undulating. Form. Considered             dentate. Uniformity. Leaves are identical.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. Considered short. Length. About 26.0 to             34.0 millimeters. Diameter. About 2.0 millimeters. Color.             Upper surface orange (RHS GREYED ORANGE 166 A). Lower             surface light green (RHS YELLOW GREEN N 144 A or RHS YELLOW             GREEN N 144 B). Ratio blade length/petiole length. More or             less 5.30.         -   Leaf glands.—Size. Considered medium. Their length is about             2.0 millimeters. Number. Generally 2. Type. Round. Color.             Red (RHS RED GROUP 46 A).         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. No leaf stipules were observed. -   Flowers.     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. At pre-floral stage of development,             the floral bunches are make up with 3 to 4 floral buds             having a conic shape with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds have a diameter of about 9.5             millimeters wide and are approximately 18.0 millimeters             long. Color. This characteristic is dependent upon the             proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the             bottom of the flowers buds, or calyx formed by sepals, is of             light green color (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A to RHS YELLOW             GREEN 144 B) with purple pink areas (RHS GREYED RED GROUP             178 A to RHS GREYED RED GROUP 178 B); the corolla formed by             petals, is generally pure white (RHS WHITE 155 D) on both             upper and lower surfaces. Hardiness. The buds are considered             hardy under typical central Pyrenees-Orientales department             climatic conditions. No winter injury was noted during the             last several years of evaluation in the central             Pyrenees-Orientales department, with winter temperatures as             low as −10° C. in January. The current variety has not been             intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the             variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to             temperatures up to 42° C. with an average temperature             between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks in summer. Date of             bloom. Generally late March. The first bloom was observed on             Mar. 5 until Mar. 15, 2010. Last fifth blooms took place             respectively from Mar. 23 until Apr. 1, 2011, from Apr. 6 to             Apr. 16, 2013, from Mar. 23 to Apr. 2, 2014, from Apr. 2 to             Apr. 12, 2015 and then from Mar. 31 to Apr. 11, 2016.             Blooming time. Considered medium relative comparison to             other commercial cherry cultivars grown in the Pyrenees-             Orientales department, France. The date of full bloom is             observed at the middle of the blooming period. The date of             bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural             practices. Blooming period. Average 10 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions. Flower type. The variety is considered to have a             showy type flower. Flower size. Considered large. Average             diameter between 30.0 and 37.0 millimeters when totally             opened. Bloom quantity. Considered abundant, approximately             60 flowers per meter. Flower bud frequency. Generally 4 to 8             flower buds appear per node.         -   Petal.—Size. Considered medium for the species. Length.             Generally about 17.0 to 19.0 millimeters. Width. Generally             about 16.0 to 19.0 millimeters. Petal form. Large form,             elliptic, usually slightly overlapping. Petal count. Nearly             always 5. Petal texture. Smooth and soft. Petal color. Pure             white color (RHS WHITE 155 D) on both surfaces. Fragrance.             Very soft.         -   Petal claw.—Form. The claw is considered to have a conic             form with a slightly rounded tip. Length. Approximately 7.0             millimeters. Width. Approximately 4.0 millimeters. Petal             margins. Smooth with a very slightly undulating.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. The petal apices are generally wide             dome shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. Considered medium to long and having             an average length of approximately 16.0 to 22.0 millimeters.             Diameter. Average 1.4 millimeter. Color. Green (RHS YELLOW             GREEN 144 A to RHS YELLOW GREEN B).         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. Smooth texture. Color. The             upper surface is of light green color (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144             A to RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 B) with purple pink areas (RHS             GREYED RED GROUP 178 A to RHS GREYED RED GROUP 178 B). The             lower surface is of light green color (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144             B to RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 C).         -   Sepals.—Surface texture. The outer surface has a smooth             texture. Size. Usually considered medium. Length.             Approximately 6.0 millimeters. Width. Approximately 4.8             millimeters. Shape. Elliptic shape. Color. The upper surface             is green (RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 A to RHS YELLOW GREEN 144 B)             with pink purple zones (RHS GREYED RED 179 B to RHS GREYED             RED 179 C). Number of sepals. Generally 5. Average number of             stamens per flower. Between 36 and 40 stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Length. Medium. Form. Cardioid. Color. Yellow             orange red color (RHS GREYED ORANGE 163 B to RHS GREYED             ORANGE 163 C). The color evolves with flowering. Pollen             production. Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color (RHS             YELLOW ORANGE 17 B to RHS YELLOW ORANGE 17 Cor RHS YELLOW             ORANGE 9 A) that varies with maturity. The fertility has             been checked and the REDLAM variety is not self-fertile (or             self pollinating). However, because of the considerable             amount of pollen that is product, the pollination is             performed as expected.         -   Filaments.—Size. Variable in length, approximately between             8.0 and 10.0 millimeters in length, smaller than pistil's             length. Color. Considered as white (RHS WHITE 155 D).         -   Pistil.—Number. Usually 1. Length. Approximately from 15.0             to 17.0 millimeters including the ovary, that is longer than             stamens length. Color. Considered very pale green (RHS             YELLOW GREEN 149 B to RHS YELLOW GREEN 149 C). The color is             evolving with flowering. Surface texture. Glabrous.             Pubescence. Absent. Stigma. Approximately 1.1 millimeter in             diameter, with an elliptic shape and a light green color             (RHS YELLOW GREEN N 144 A to RHS YELLOW GREEN N 144 B).             Ovary. Approximately 2.8 millimeters in height. The diameter             of the ovary is about 1.9 millimeters.         -   Type of Reproduction.—Pollination.         -   Pollinator.—Good pollinators are the following varieties:             ‘ROSILAM’ cherry tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,797) or             ‘RUBILAM’ cherry tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,798). -   Fruits. Maturity when described. Firm at maturity. Date of first     picking. May 18, 2009. The date of picking varies slightly with     climatic conditions. Date of last picking. Last known picking times     carry on from May 18 to May 25, 2009, then from May 30 to Jun. 1,     2010, then from May 19 to May 26, 2011, then from May 24 to Jun. 4,     2012, then from Jun. 7 to Jun. 14, 2013, then from May 14 to May 20,     2014 and then from May 24 to May 28, 2015 and then from Jun. 1 to     Jun. 5, 2016. Ripening period. Approximately 5 to 12 days.     -   -   Size.—Generally. Considered medium to large, with a             homogeneous size between them. Average cheek diameter. About             29.0 to 31.0 millimeters. Average axial diameter. About 21.0             to 24.0 millimeters. Typical weight. Generally about 10.2             grams. This characteristic is highly dependent upon the             prevailing cultural practices, and therefore is not             particularly distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. Reniform. Fruit suture. Wide mouthed,             extending from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing             or stitching exists along the suture line. Without mucrons             and not prominent.         -   Suture.—Color. The suture has generally a color similar to             the blush fruit color, a homogenous dark red color (RHS RED             GROUP 46 A).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. Smooth. Apex. Round with a slight             depression. Base. Slightly in depression Stem cavity.             Average depth of the stem cavity is about 2.0 to 3.0             millimeters. Average width is about 6.0 millimeters.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. Considered smooth and medium thick,             and tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of maturity.             Tenacity. Tenacious to flesh. Texture. Smooth. Taste. Sweet.             Tendency to crack. None.         -   Color.—Blush color. The color of the fruit is red (RHS             GREYED PURPLE 187 B) on a dark red color red (RHS RED GROUP             46 A) background. Fruit stem. Medium in length,             approximately 34.0 to 39.0 millimeters. Diameter.             Approximately 1.5 millimeters. Color. Light green (RHS             YELLOW GREEN 145 A).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. Homogenous and regular. Texture. Very             crunchy, luscious, juicy. Fibers. No fibers. Firmness.             Considered firm. Aroma. Pronounced aroma. Eating quality.             Very good, very sweet, aromatic. Flavor. Semi-sweet, very             sugared, aromatic. Slow acidic level. Juicy and aromatic.             Juice. Large amount, very juicy. Color of juice is             considered pink red (RHS RED PURPLE 73 D). Brix.             Approximately 16.0 degrees, varies slightly with amount of             fruit per tree and climatic conditions. Color. From an             orange yellow color (RHS YELLOW ORANGE 14 D) to a pigmented             red color (RHS RED GROUP 53 B) at ripening time. -   Stone. Type. Free stone to semi-freestone at fruits picking. Size.     Medium for the variety. Length. Average 10.0 millimeters. Width.     Average width 9.0 millimeters. Diameter. Average diameter 7.5     millimeters. Form. Round. Base. Generally round. Apex. Generally     round. Stone cavity. Medium with a form and dimensions corresponding     to the stone's dimensions.     -   -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. Smooth. Ridges. None,             smooth. Tendency to split. Splitting is absent.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. Very shallow, more or less 1.0             millimeter.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. Full, with a slight relief. Stone color.             The color of the dry stone is yellow (RHS GREYED YELLOW 161             D). Tendency to split. None.         -   Kernel.—Size. Medium. Length. About 7.0 millimeters. Width.             About 5.0 millimeters. Thickness. About 3.5 millimeters.             Form. Round to slightly elliptic. Pellicle. Not pubescent.             Color. The kernel skin is orange brown (RHS GREYED YELLOW             161 C). The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of             fruit maturity.         -   Use.—Dessert. Fresh products. Market. local and long             distance. On the tree fruits can stay 10 days while keeping             good gustative qualities. The lifetime after picking is also             good.         -   Keeping quality.—Good, held well for 30 days in cold storage             at 2° C. and maintained good appearance and eating quality.         -   Shipping quality.—Good, showed minimal bruising or scarring             during picking, packing and shipping trials.         -   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility.—specific             tests were run with regards to Monilia and ‘REDLAM’ variety             seems to be low sensitive to Monilia. Moreover ‘REDLAM’ is             low sensitive to other observed pathologies, to rupture and             to conservation pathologies. -   The present new variety of cherry tree, its flowers, foliage and     fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate,     soil conditions and cultural practices under which the variety may     be grown. The present description is that of the variety grown under     the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrenees Orientales     (66), France (FR). 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its fruit and especially by its medium to large size, its dark red skin color, its firmness, good flavor and eating quality; the fruit is further characterized by its good handling and storage qualities. 